A royal Indian sword (talwar), the blade, Persia, probably 18th...
with curved blade of watered steel double edged towards the tip, inlaid with gold inscriptions on the back-edge and on one face of the forte, including a magic square and a cartouche, gold plated hilt finely engraved with flowers and foliage, and pierced gold suspension loop
92cm.
Condition Report:
The blade slightly blunt, some minor scratches and abrasion to steel with areas of oxidation consistent with age, part of the inlay along the forte is missing, the beginning of the inscription possibly defaced, some wear to the hilt, notable around the pommel, as viewed.
Catalogue Note:
Signed on the forte:
'The work of Barkhordar ibn Asadullah Isfahani'
The letters B/D/W/H in the magic square stand for buduh, the name of an angel employed here as a protective talisman.
'Sarkar Mir Karam 'Ali Khan ibn Mir Subdar Khan Talpur'
On the edge:
'(Presented to/or from) Sarkar Mir Murad 'Ali Khan Talpur to/from? Sarkar the lord of victorious battles Muhammad Bahawul Khan 'Abbasi Bahadur'
Asadullah Isfahani was a legendary Iranian artisan swordsmith active under the patronage of Shah ‘Abbas I of Persia. Asadullah’s name can be found on blades dated up to the nineteenth century, which suggests that these may be traditional honorary inscriptions, or that the blades were produced by a workshop using his name – see, for example, a sword sold in these rooms on 26 April 2017, lot 189.
Mir Karam ‘Ali Khan Talpur (d. 1244/1828), son of Mir Subedar Khan, was one of four brothers from the Talpur dynasty who governed Hyderabad of Sindh from 1811 to 1828. Regarded as a fair and astute ruler, his peaceful reign saw no wars, allowing him to focus on fostering art, science, and trade. He cultivated a friendship with Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar, with frequent exchanges of envoys and gifts. His love for swords led to the importation of exquisite blades from various lands, attracting skilled artisans, calligraphers, painters, and scholars from Persia and Khurasan to settle in Hyderabad. A talwar inscribed with his name was offered in Sotheby’s London, 9 April 2008, lot 260. Murad Ali Khan Talpur (1763-1832) was Mir Karam’s brother and his successor. Another sword dedicated to him was offered in these rooms on 7 October 2015, lot 351. Muhammad Bahawul Khan 'Abbasi (r. 1827 - 1852) was, most likely, the fifth ruler of the princely state of Bahawul.
Provenance:
Possibly acquired by the great military hero Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey (1768–1854).
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with curved blade of watered steel double edged towards the tip, inlaid with gold inscriptions on the back-edge and on one face of the forte, including a magic square and a cartouche, gold plated hilt finely engraved with flowers and foliage, and pierced gold suspension loop
92cm.
Condition Report:
The blade slightly blunt, some minor scratches and abrasion to steel with areas of oxidation consistent with age, part of the inlay along the forte is missing, the beginning of the inscription possibly defaced, some wear to the hilt, notable around the pommel, as viewed.
Catalogue Note:
Signed on the forte:
'The work of Barkhordar ibn Asadullah Isfahani'
The letters B/D/W/H in the magic square stand for buduh, the name of an angel employed here as a protective talisman.
'Sarkar Mir Karam 'Ali Khan ibn Mir Subdar Khan Talpur'
On the edge:
'(Presented to/or from) Sarkar Mir Murad 'Ali Khan Talpur to/from? Sarkar the lord of victorious battles Muhammad Bahawul Khan 'Abbasi Bahadur'
Asadullah Isfahani was a legendary Iranian artisan swordsmith active under the patronage of Shah ‘Abbas I of Persia. Asadullah’s name can be found on blades dated up to the nineteenth century, which suggests that these may be traditional honorary inscriptions, or that the blades were produced by a workshop using his name – see, for example, a sword sold in these rooms on 26 April 2017, lot 189.
Mir Karam ‘Ali Khan Talpur (d. 1244/1828), son of Mir Subedar Khan, was one of four brothers from the Talpur dynasty who governed Hyderabad of Sindh from 1811 to 1828. Regarded as a fair and astute ruler, his peaceful reign saw no wars, allowing him to focus on fostering art, science, and trade. He cultivated a friendship with Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar, with frequent exchanges of envoys and gifts. His love for swords led to the importation of exquisite blades from various lands, attracting skilled artisans, calligraphers, painters, and scholars from Persia and Khurasan to settle in Hyderabad. A talwar inscribed with his name was offered in Sotheby’s London, 9 April 2008, lot 260. Murad Ali Khan Talpur (1763-1832) was Mir Karam’s brother and his successor. Another sword dedicated to him was offered in these rooms on 7 October 2015, lot 351. Muhammad Bahawul Khan 'Abbasi (r. 1827 - 1852) was, most likely, the fifth ruler of the princely state of Bahawul.
Provenance:
Possibly acquired by the great military hero Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey (1768–1854).
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